[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36476-36477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17714]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 68
[CC Docket No. 88-57; FCC 97-209]
Connection of Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network and
Petition for Modification
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: On June 17, 1997, the Commission released a Second Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SFNPRM) addressing the connection of
inside wiring to the telephone network. The SFNPRM is intended to
obtain comment on several issues related to the demarcation point.
DATES: Comments must be filed on or before July 17, 1997, and reply
comments must be filed on or before August 1, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill von Alven, Senior Engineer (202)
418-2342, or Marian Gordon, Special
[[Page 36477]]
Counsel, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-
2337.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Second
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Review of
Secs. 68.104 and 68.213 of the Commission's Rules Concerning Connection
of Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network and Petition for
Modification of Sec. 68.213 of the Commission's Rules filed by
Electronic Industries Association, FCC 97-209, adopted June 12, 1997,
and released June 17, 1997. The Commission concurrently released an
Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order in the same
docket. The file is available for inspection and copying during the
weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Commission's Reference
Center, room 239, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington D.C., or copies may be
purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, ITS, Inc. 2100
M St., N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, phone (202) 857-3800.
Analysis of Proceeding
1. The SFNPRM asks for comment on the application of the revised
demarcation point definition to complex wiring. The Commission seeks
comment on whether it should continue to allow the telephone company
demarcation point to be placed away from a building, at the property
line. The Commission seeks comment on whether the use of poor quality
inside wiring in one building affects service in other buildings. It
also asks for comment on an enhanced wire quality standard designed to
address the problem of cross-talk. The Commission seeks comment on
whether the enhanced wire quality standard should be adopted as a two-
year interim standard, and what industry body or bodies should be the
entity through which members work to develop a permanent standard to
solve the problems created by poor quality inside wiring. It asks
whether the enhanced wire quality standard is overly restrictive. The
Commission also requests comment on a proposal that wire meeting the
proposed interim standard be marked at specific intervals. The
Commission asks for comment on whether the standard for determining
whether a material meets the requirements for gold or gold equivalence,
should also be an interim standard effective for two years, until
industry develops a permanent standard. It seeks comment concerning
through which industry body or bodies a permanent standard should be
developed if the standard becomes only an interim standard.
2. It is further ordered that, pursuant to Sections 1, 4, 201-205,
218, and 220, of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.
Secs. 151, 154, 201-205, 218, and 220, and 5 U.S.C. Secs. 552 and 553,
Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is provided to amend part
68 of the Commission's rules, as described herein.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 68
Telephone.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
Accordingly part 68 of title 47 is proposed to be amended as
follows:
PART 68--CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE NETWORK
1. The authority citation for part 68 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 1, 4, 5, 201-5, 208, 215, 218, 226, 227, 303,
313, 314, 403, 404, 410, 602 of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 155, 201-5, 208, 215, 218, 226, 227,
303, 313, 314, 403, 404, 410, 602.
2. Section 68.213 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph
(c) to read as follows:
Sec. 68.213 Installation of other than ``fully protected'' non-system
simple customer premises wiring.
* * * * *
(c) Material requirements.
(1) For new installations and modifications to existing
installations, conductors shall be solid, 24 gauge or larger, twisted
copper pairs which comply with the electrical specifications for
Category 3 or higher as defined in the ANSI EIA/TIA Building Wiring
Standards.
(2) Conductors shall have insulation with a 1500 Volt rms minimum
breakdown rating. This rating shall be established by covering the
jacket or sheath with at least 15 cm (6 in) (measured linearly on the
cable) of conductive foil, and establishing a potential difference
between the foil and all of the individual conductors connected
together, such potential difference gradually increased over a 30
second time period to 1500 Volts rms, 60 Hertz, then applied
continuously for one minute. At no time during this 90 second time
interval shall the current between these points exceed 10 milliamperes
peak.
(3) All wire and connectors meeting the requirements set forth in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall be marked in a manner
visible to the consumer, as recommended in the ANSI EIA/TIA premises
cabling standards.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 97-17714 Filed 7-7-97; 8:45 am]
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